(11) His Hunting Ground

The evidence of his reaction was unmistakable.

Charity's heart hammered against her ribs as she felt the full weight of Lucas's desire pressing against her, a physical reminder of just how precarious her position had become. She shifted, hoping to slowly crawl away from him, to put some distance between them before things spiraled completely out of control.

But her movement did the opposite effect.

Lucas must have lost some restraint, he dragged her even closer to him, her back pressed against his chest and she seated on his lap with no gap left between them.

The bulge, more threatening this time. Charity's breath caught in her throat, her hands flying to his chest in a desperate attempt to create even an inch of separation.

"Hey." He suddenly made a sound, hoarse and even more seductive. The word rumbled through his chest and into her back, a vibration that sent shivers cascading down her spine. "Don't move."

The command hung between them, heavy with unspoken implications.

Charity froze, her breath caught in her throat, her hands still pressed against his chest, though now they felt more like anchors than barriers.

She could feel every inch of him against her. The hard planes of his chest, the powerful thighs beneath her, the evidence of his desire pressing insistently against her.

And worst of all, the traitorous part of her that didn't want to move, that wanted to see where this would go.

"You're shaking," Lucas murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "Scared?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Charity managed, proud that her voice came out steadier than she felt.

Lucas's laugh was low, dark. "I would, actually. That's why I asked."

His hand slid from her hip to her waist, his thumb tracing circles against the fabric of her gown. The touch was maddening, too light, too deliberate. Charity closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. She needed to think, to find some way to regain control of this situation.

"Your brother," she said, desperate for a distraction. "Uno. What's he like?"

"Annoying." Lucas's tone was flat, but there was something underneath it. Something almost fond. "Brooding. Always in my business."

"Like you're not brooding and always in everyone's business?"

The words slipped out before she could stop them, a moment of defiance that she immediately regretted. She tensed, waiting for his anger.

Instead, Lucas laughed again, amused this time, sarcastic and surprised. "You're the only one who talks to me like that."

"Is that a compliment?"

"I haven't decided yet."

His grip tightened, and Charity realized she was trapped. She was supposed to be his ally, his partner in whatever scheme he was planning.

But sitting here, pressed against him, feeling the heat of his desire and the weight of his attention... She wasn't sure what she was anymore.

"Charity." His voice was softer now, almost gentle. "Look at me."

She turned her head, meeting his gaze. The intensity was still there, those dark eyes that seemed to see straight through every wall she'd ever built.

His thumb continued its maddening path against her waist, and Charity found herself leaning into his touch despite every instinct screaming at her to run.

"My family is going to ask questions. About us, about the engagement, about everything." He paused, his thumb still tracing patterns against her waist. "I need you to sell it. Can you do that?"

Charity swallowed hard. "What do I get out of it?"

"Everything you could ever want."

The answer came so quickly, so confidently, that Charity couldn't help but wonder what he meant.

Everything she could ever want, was that a promise? A threat? Or simply another move in whatever game Lucas was playing?

Her mind raced through possibilities, through the implications of those words spoken in that low, dangerous voice.

"Fine," she said finally. "I'll play the part."

"Good." Lucas's smile was sharp, triumphant. "Because they're arriving next month."

"Next month?!" Charity's voice pitched upward, the carefully constructed composure she'd been maintaining crumbling entirely. "You couldn't have mentioned that earlier?!"

"Would it have changed your answer?"

She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again. No, she realized. It wouldn't have. Because as much as she hated to admit it, Lucas Cassian had a way of getting what he wanted. And right now, what he wanted was her.

Lucas leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. "Relax," he murmured. "You're going to be fine. I'll make sure of it."

Charity gulped.

Right now, she wasn't sure if she'd be fine. Aside from the sudden new identity she would portray, what was happening right now was also a question.

The heat of his body, the tension between them, the way her own treacherous pulse quickened at his touch, none of this was part of any plan.

"Mr Cassian." She gasped a little to feel his steady hands moving to the fine slit of her gown. His fingers traced the edge of the fabric, sliding higher with deliberate slowness.

Lucas seemed to ignore her small pleas. His breath was so close to her skin, it warmed her up too.

She suddenly felt his teeth sinking on her shoulder, marking her in a way she didn't expect. The sharp sting of his bite was followed by the soothing warmth of his tongue, and Charity's entire body trembled.

"Hush." He murmured, feeling the warmth of their body intensifying.

His free hand came up to cradle her jaw, tilting her head to expose more of her neck to his hungry mouth.

Charity gripped his arm the moment his fingertips came in contact with her underwear beneath her dress.

She frantically searched through the softly lit room for any camera, and thankfully, there was none. But still, this was madness. This was crossing lines she'd never intended to cross.

"Is that a no?" Lucas asked, suddenly stopping his movements. His hand stilled against her, and Charity could feel the tension radiating from him as he waited for her answer.

Charity opened her eyes, and there was a wild expectation in her gaze.

She wanted more, but she was too embarrassed to say anything. In fact, she felt like they shouldn't be going any further than this.

This was supposed to be an alliance, a business arrangement. She was supposed to keep her head, maintain her distance, protect her everything.

Still, her hold on him loosened. She completely leaned her body against his as Lucas took her silent agreement into consideration. She could feel his satisfaction in the way his body relaxed behind her, in the renewed urgency of his touch.

Charity shivered from the slick tongue licking her shoulder slowly, deprivingly. He traced the line of her thigh, then slowly made his way towards a sensitive area just between her legs. Her breathing quickened, her fingers digging into his arm as waves of sensation washed over her.

"Wait!" She gasped as Lucas stopped.

His gaze turned oppressive towards her. Lucas appeared a bit disappointed but seeing her reaction, he was the one to retreat first. He pulled back slowly, giving her space even as his eyes continued to devour her.

"I'm sorry, I..." She stood up and faced Lucas.

His eyes were like the abyss as always, dark and unfathomable. Charity didn't mean to, but she had taken into account that there should be nothing more to their alliance.

"I still have a lot of things to do tonight."

Lucas furrowed his brows, his hand tapping against the desk next to him. The gesture was measured, controlled, but Charity could see the tension in his jaw.

"I'll drive you home."

"No, no!" She still refused, panicked, really. "P-Paige, Paige said he'll bring me back."

Charity quickly made up an excuse. She just wanted to get away from the temptation at the moment, away from those dark eyes that seemed to see through every lie she told herself.

Lucas said nothing and Charity took that as an approval.

Like a frightened prey, she moved quickly to the door and left, not daring to look back. But she could feel his gaze on her, a physical weight that followed her all the way into the hallway.

Lucas, however, seemed to be planning someone's doom as he watched her retreat. His fingers continued their steady rhythm against the mahogany desk, a predator contemplating his next move.

"Paige!" Charity was ever so elated to see Paige still in the building.

He was talking with other guests, his easy smile and relaxed posture a stark contrast to the coiled tension still thrumming through her veins. He quickly dismissed them just so he could entertain Charity instead.

"Miss Vivianne?" He was a little confused to see her so frightened. His eyes scanned her face, taking in her flushed cheeks and rapid breathing. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Can you... can you drive me home?" She asked shyly, hating how desperate she sounded.

"Of course, I don't mind." Paige, the ever good man he is, readily agreed. More likely, he was worried about her current panic. "Is there something wrong? Did something happen?"

"Just... just drive me home." She insisted, already moving toward the exit.

She needed to get out of this building, away from the memory of Lucas's hands on her, the phantom sensation of his teeth against her skin.

"No, I'll drive her home."

Suddenly, Lucas appeared. He emerged from the crowd of suits and gowns, hands in his pockets, and still remaining cold. Yet, his gaze only settled on Charity that night, burning with something that made her breath catch all over again.

Paige straightened, confusion flickering across his face. "Mr. Cassian? I thought you were-"

"I'll take it from here." Lucas's voice commanded no argument. He moved closer, his presence dominating the space between them. "Charity and I have unfinished business."

Charity's heart dropped.